Product Description

Grand Seiko Spring Drive Power Reserve Titanium "Snowflake" SBGA011

The Grand Seiko Spring Drive SBGA011 aka the Snowflake is now one of the most iconic Grand Seiko's in the entire line up. This beautiful timepiece not only is one of the most popular Grand Seiko Spring Drive models, but the Snowflake also holds sentimental value to the craftsmen and women of Shinshu Watch Studio in the Nagano prefecture of Japan. The studio in the city of Shiojiri, neighboring Suwa and Lake Suwa in a mountainous region of Nagano, has winter snowfall that is light and airy due to lower humidity. The Snowflake pays tribute to Suwa's winters expressing the snowfall on the dial, using titanium to make it as light as a snowflake, and blue accents to contribute a cold feel. The SBGA011 uses the highest grade of technology from Shinshu, known as Spring Drive for the movement. The 9R65 caliber, exclusive to Grand Seiko, is completely hand assembled and manufactured in-house by Seiko. The Spring Drive 9R65 contains 276 parts, 30 jewels and is finished in Grand Seiko style with perlage and an abundance of striping. The continuous and fluid motion of Spring Drive, which is fully powered by a mainspring but uses a quartz crystal, IC and an electro-magnetic brake to regulate the unwinding of the mainspring, provides an astounding +/- 15 second per month accuracy rating to the SBGA011. The movements design also expresses the view of the mountains as seen from the studio. The Grand Seiko Snowflake SBGA011 has become an essential for avid watch collectors and symbolizes the beauty of the studio they are crafted in.

Christmas Eve Impulse Buy!

My "Snowflake" has hypnotized me! I actually bought it on Christmas Eve, 2013. This is my 3rd Seiko product. Started with a SS Chronograph, then went to a Ti Kinetic, now the SBGA011 Snowflake! My Kinetic had a black face with luminescent features so it is a bit of an adjustment. Had I the option of the SBGA041 on display... Who knows? This site has exceptional pictures and video of the Snowflake. After several days and untold glances in various lighting conditions this piece is really growing on me. I had intended to refurbish my Kinetic as a work watch but now I think I may just retire it to the safe as I am not ready to leave My new GS in the box for a minute!Unknown
on
29th Dec 2013